FAQ

Chronic Pain

Everyone experiences pain at some point during his or her life. Pain can range from brief and mild to severe and intractable. Acute pain begins sharp and suddenly; it serves as a warning sign of disease or an injury to the body. Unrelieved acute pain may lead to chronic pain and discomfort which may persist even after the original injury has healed.

These abnormal pain signals can have lasting effects on your body, such as tense muscles, reduced mobility, fatigue and a lack of energy. Chronic pain can also lead to additional psychological effects such as depression, irritability, anxiety and anger. If left untreated, the physical and psychological effects of chronic pain can affect a person’s ability to return to work or enjoy leisure activities.

Chronic pain is thought to involve abnormal pathways that develop in the nervous system, which includes the nerves, spinal cord and brain. Chronic pain conditions are very common in our society. In fact, pain is one of the top reasons why patients seek medical attention and one of the most prevalent medical complaints in the United States. Chronic pain affects approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population and 50 percent of patients with cancer.

Dr. Pau and his staff at Oahu Pain Care are trained to assess your pain condition and provide you with the best possible treatment options. The first step on the road to chronic pain relief is determining the cause. As an Interventional Pain Specialist, Dr. Pau is an expert diagnostician who can help alleviate your pain by determining the correct diagnosis and formulating an individualized treatment plan.

I am in pain and afraid I will hurt myself. What should I do?

Many patients with persistent pain may restrict their physical activity in the belief that activity exacerbates their pain, or that they are in imminent danger of harming themselves if pain is provoked by activity. This belief can undermine efforts to improve functioning. Once serious underlying physical pathology has been excluded, patients should be educated and physical de-conditioning should be reversed with gentle and appropriate exercise, appropriate medications and interventional procedures if needed.

Are there forms I need to fill out before my visit?

Yes. We ask that you review and complete all the forms sent to you and bring the completed forms with you to the office at the time of your appointment.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Although the following should be sent by your referring provider, in order to serve you best, please bring copies of the following: